Panel-Sheathed Shear Walls — Past and Future

Abstract: In order for a building to resist the lateral forces caused by wind or earthquake, it is necessary that the building include a lateral force resisting system. When the walls are designed and constructed in such a way to serve as the vertical lateral force resisting system, they are commonly referred to as shear walls. Over 400 shear wall tests were reviewed in order to confirm current recommended shears and develop revisions that should be considered to standardize wall test methods.